Meet Our Staff

Ms. Meg Cosgriff: Co-Principal

Ms. Cosgriff began her journey of faith right here on this property. She received her Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation) in what was then St. William Church. Her love of Catholic education began when she entered Saint William School as a first grader many years ago. The parish priests and the Ursuline Sisters helped her to treasure and rely on the faith instilled in her by her parents and siblings. She was a member of the Class of 1979. Ms. Cosgriff continued her education at Regina High School and Ursuline College. Her faith was nurtured and her love of learning was fostered in these institutions. When she graduated from college, she was steadfast in her desire to become a teacher in a Catholic School.

Ms. Cosgriff began her teaching career at St. Christine School in Euclid and continued at St. Clare in Lyndhurst and St. Mary Magdalene School in Willowick. Her passion was helping students love math as much as she did! In 2000, after ten years in the classroom, she earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Ursuline College. She felt it would be a privilege to touch the lives of children beyond those in a classroom. She was the principal of St. Jerome School in Cleveland and St. Ann/Communion of Saints School in Cleveland Heights before, in 2012, returning to Euclid and Ss. Robert and William School.

As a life-long resident of Euclid, and a member of Saints Robert and William Catholic Parish, she is thrilled to continue the advancement of the school, welcoming the youngest learners to our campus!

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Teaching Certificate, Ursuline College
Master of Arts in Educational Administration, Ursuline College
Favorite Saint: St. Joseph
Favorite Children's Book: The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein

Mission:

In 1988, I entered my first classroom as a teacher. For the 23 years leading up to that moment I had relied on my parents, parish priests, religious sisters, and dedicated lay people to form me in the ways of faith. The seeds of faith had been planted, watered, and tended to, and it was now time to begin the career I had always dreamt of: teaching in a Catholic school.

It was this same year that the Congregation for Catholic Education, a department of the Vatican, wrote the following in response to Vatican II:

From the first moment that a student sets foot in a Catholic school,
he or she ought to have the impression of entering a new environment,
one illumined by the light of faith,
and having its own unique characteristics.
(Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, 1988, n.25).

It is this guideline that touched my heart and became my daily mission as I embraced my vocation, my ministry.

Each day as I greet students entering the building, I pray they feel the love that permeates the building. This is not just a school – it is holy ground. It was built for the sole purpose of passing on the faith. By beginning each day making a connection with each student, calling them by name, and encouraging them to do his/her best, I hope to create that new environment.

My prayer is that now, as the dedicated lay person forming students in the ways of faith, the seeds of faith that have been planted, watered, and tended to, grow in these students so that the mission of the Catholic church ~ to make disciples of all people ~ is accomplished.

Mrs. Molly Lorek: Director

Mrs. Lorek and her husband, Kyle, joined the Ss. Robert and William community in 2015. She has spent the last four years working in the Admissions Office at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School. In her free time, Mrs. Lorek enjoys playing with her two cats, participating in community theater, and crafting. As a product of Catholic education herself, she is excited to establish a solid foundation so our students can grow academically, socially, and spiritually, and is looking forward to creating a faith-based center for the youngest members of our community.

Bachelors of Arts, University of Akron

Favorite Saint: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Favorite Children's Book: Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon

Mission:

My mission centers around two concepts: individuality and inclusivity. I believe that every child learns, plays, and interacts in his/her own way. Our role as educators is to facilitate an environment that allows each student to explore his/her strengths. In addition, I believe that key concepts like respect and empathy should be a focal point with young children. Using Jesus' immense love for us as a guide, I hope to instill kindness and compassion in our students.

Mrs. Angela Casey: Baby Angels

Mrs. Casey was born and raised in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood. She is a proud Italian Catholic; a first generation American citizen whose parents and older brother and sister were born in Oratino, Italy. She made all of her sacraments (Baptism, Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage) at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Little Italy. She is the product of a Catholic education having attended Holy Rosary School, Regina High School, and John Carroll University.

After graduation, she worked in the trade association industry before spending several years as a stay-at-home mother to her three daughters. Before coming to Ss. Robert and William Catholic School, Mrs. Casey was a preschool aide, a substitute classroom teacher, substitute school secretary, and the Auxiliary Clerk at St. John of the Cross School in Euclid. She is excited to be part of the GAELC because of the unique opportunity the center bring to Euclid and surrounding communities.

Bachelor of Arts, John Carroll University

Favorite Saint: St. Anthony

Favorite Book: Sleepytime Rhyme, Remy Charlip

Mission:

As the GAELC Baby Teacher, my mission is to provide our youngest children with the same level of love, care, and nurturing they would receive at home. I will strive, each day, to make childcare one less worry for our parents and guardians and to provide unconditional love to our Baby Angels!

My goal is to provide a strong foundation of age and developmentally-appropriate academics, faith, and citizenship to our youngest learners. I believe the love of learning, the love of Jesus, and the foundation of strong character all begin at a young age and I cannot wait to pass on these important beliefs to our babies.

Mrs. Kate Betters: Toddler Angels

You may remember Kate Betters as our SRW parish youth minister, but she is now part of GAELC as one of our Wee teachers. Mrs. Betters is excited to join this new endeavor for our school and looks forward to helping students build a foundation for success in education, as well as a love and basis of knowledge in the Catholic Faith. When she isn’t helping the youth of our community, she can be found enjoying all of Cleveland’s best tacos, with copious amounts of guacamole. Mrs. Betters likes to jam out to Taylor Swift in the car with her step-daughter, Abby, and loves to visit the library to find new books and movies to enjoy. She also enjoys spending time finding new adventures for her family to explore, as well as spending as much time with her extended family as possible.

Bachelor of Arts, John Carroll University

Favorite Saint: St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Rapheal

Favorite Children’s Book: Dragons Love Tacos, by Adam Rubin and The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt

Mission:

To help young children build a solid foundation for success in education, to further the love of Jesus and build their knowledge of the Catholic Faith

Mrs. Maria Carlson: Wee Angels

Mrs. Carlson is proud to call Euclid home, where she lives with her husband, Dave, and their three fun-loving, spunky children, all of whom are current and future students of Ss. Robert and William. Mrs. Carlson and her family have been SRW parishioners since 2014. Mrs. Carlson also has the fluffiest and gentlest dog named Betsy and a fish named Fish. She enjoys tea parties, pizza picnics, living room dance parties, and Lake Erie sunsets. As an experienced preschool teacher, Mrs. Carlson has always been passionate about creating environments where children can learn, discover and grow.

Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from John Carroll University

Favorite Saint(s): St. Teresa of Calcutta and St. Monica

Favorite Children’s Book: The Poky Little Puppy, By Janette Sebring Lowrey

Mission:

To help each child gain independence, practice kindness, and learn to help one another by fostering a play-based, developmentally appropriate environment where they can reach their full God-given potential.

Mrs. Natalie Hemminger: Wee Angels

Mrs. Hemminger grew up in Euclid and attended school at St. William. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Education before moving to El Paso, Texas. Mrs. Hemminger taught Kindergarten for three years in Texas, and had the honor of being picked as teacher of the year by her peers. After her daughter was born, she moved back to Euclid where she taught preschool for four years. She loves reading, drinking coffee, and most of all spending time with her daughter, Lily who is a student at SRW. As a former Warrior (class of 2001), Mrs. Hemminger looks forward to giving back to this faith community which has been her spiritual home her entire life.

Bachelor of Science in Education, Bowling Green State University
Favorite Saint: St. John Paul the GreatMavorite Children’s Book: Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch and Pete the Cat and
His Four Groovy Buttons, by Eric Litwin

Mission:

I believe every student can learn. I believe education should reflect the differences our children bring to the table. Learning is not about creating cookie-cutter kiddos, it is about helping students to grow in faith to be the best they can be. I believe in our children!

Mrs. Andrea Ralph: Little Angels

Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education/Prekindergarten, Lakeland Community College / Lake Erie College
Favorite Saint: St. Francis
Favorite Children's Book: Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney

Mission:

I have grown to have great pride and commitment in the early childhood field. The mission of my classroom is to teach each child as an individual. It is understood at the start that no two children are alike…nor do they learn and grow in the same way. Children do not grow and develop according to a rigid plan. With this in mind, the prekindergarten exists to provide opportunities for the growth and development of the whole child in an individual, accepting, non-judgmental way. In the SRW prekindergarten class, each child is viewed as a unique individual. Differentiated instruction is used each day in my classroom when teaching young children. Differentiation is to modify instruction that will help each child learn and grow; considering their different interests, talents, background knowledge, learning styles, abilities, and readiness. I also find it most important that young children are taught to value one another and show appreciation for one another. The children come to feel that they are part of a group in which they contribute lovingly and are accepted as who they are. We use grace and courtesy lessons for children. This helps the child feel comfortable with him/herself and with other people. As part of a Catholic education program, it is in the prekindergarten that we prepare for more formal instruction which will come in the years ahead. During the preschool-prekindergarten years, a child is developing good-decision making skills and forming good habits. He or she is developing a positive self-image in relationship to a loving God. I seek to provide an atmosphere to enhance development in all areas: religious, physical, emotional, social, and cognitive.

I wish to extend a special welcome to our unique program. I feel that it is very important to let you know that I take special pride in meeting your child’s individual needs and relating to you and your child on a personal basis. I base my teaching on a positive philosophy. I set my guidelines to develop the wisdom of acceptance and a good self-image. I take pride in setting a good example of character to help teach children to respect one another’s feelings and to create empathy for their peers, as well as, the importance of good relationships with the total family. You and your family are important to me. I promise to keep your child safe, loved, and happy in an enriching learning environment.

Ms. Ashley Higgins: Junior Angels

Ms. Higgins grew up on the East Coast and went to Middlebury College, a small liberal arts school. Throughout her career, Ms. Higgins had the pleasure of working in two outstanding Midwestern elementary schools as a Kindergarten teacher. In her free time, Ms. Higgins enjoys reading, exploring museums, and playing with her baby niece. She also loves traveling to Canada with her husband to hike, kayak, fish, and enjoy the outdoors. Ms. Higgins is thrilled to be part of the Ss. Robert and William community. She is looking forward to working with her new students to grow their knowledge both academically and spiritually.

Bachelor of Arts, Middlebury College

Master of Arts in Elementary Education, Oakland University

Favorite Saint: St. Thèrése of Lisieux

Favorite Book: The Lorax, Dr. Seuss

Mission:

As an educator, my mission is to engage my students in a life-long pursuit and love of learning. I want my students to take ownership over their education and to see school as an opportunity for exploration. I encourage my scholars to face new challenges with curiosity and confidence in their abilities as learners and achievers. In my classroom, I strive to promote a nurturing environment to cultivate a positive social, emotional, spiritual, and educational setting. I see every moment as a learning opportunity to grow and learn together as a collective group of young scholars.

I am excited about this opportunity to meet, teach, and help our students realize their potential in the classroom, the church, and the surrounding community.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Dr. Seuss